OH - Pike Co - 8 in Rhoden Family Murdered Over Custody Issue - 4 Members Wagner Family Arrested #80

[Betty P]

Media last ditch...can we have audio...judge nope...again JW is the concern, his having to change midstream in the midst of his testimony, all about JW's rights, feelings and safety

That witness was just some corrections officer in the courtroom that was waiting for the defendant and witness to come in. He was called to testify for the hearing not the trial. He was to testify about the peril JW would be in IF made to testify on camera or audio

It's all the court has to work with right now. Until they have hearings, they can't allow any witness to testify who has opted out.

 

[LMDlong]

Confused here. Will the trial continue today ?

 

[Pru2U]

The people this affects the most are the victims' relatives, not all of them will be able to attend court, we have heard that the Rhoden, Manley and Gilley families are large, I am sure they have waited years to hear the person who murdered their family testify,

and they are only getting a small amount of what JW testifies to through the media, why were their opinions not sought as to JW being allowed to opt out, the state is prosecuting GW on behalf of the people of Ohio, those people include the victims' families,

I have never seen prosecutors arguing for the rights of the guilty, the person who has admitted to killing 5 victims if you are the state, 8 if you are defense, the state should have been arguing on the side of the victims to be able to see justice being done, not arguing for JW to be protected,

as I posted earlier though they want to keep JW testimony from being recorded so BW attorneys don't see it, unless they come to court to watch him testify

Many have mentioned how JW could lose his deal. Looks to me like the it’s the prosecutors who don’t want their deal with JW & AW fall apart.

 

[MyTinkieGirl]

It's been mentioned in a number of posts, but I'd just like for AC to go back to Chris Sr.'s crime scene and ask Jake one question - who was the "someone" who moved the bodies. Then, just do a My Cousin Vinny and say "I'm finished with this guy".

 

[sunshineray]

Confused here. Will the trial continue today ?

Yes, as far as I heard, JW will be coming back off camera and audio. The reporters can move more freely in and out but if they start to disrupt that could change back to lock in/outs again

 

[Betty P]

Pike Co. murder trial: Photos of murder weapons are shown for first time as Jake testifies for third day

Jake Wagner will continue testifying against his brother, who is on trial for the murder of eight people in Pike County in 2016.

www.wcpo.com

Jake Wagner will continue testifying against his brother George Wagner IV on Wednesday, who is on trial for the murder of eight people in Pike County in 2016. He has opted out of being recorded during his time on the witness stand. The morning started with a hearing about whether or not Jake Wagner could be recorded, and the judge ruled that there is a reason to believe there could be added danger to Jake Wagner if he was recorded/broadcast. As a result, you won't see or hear Jake's testimony. We will update what he says in the story below during breaks in the trial when our reporter is allowed to come out of the courtroom.

 

[ohioexpat63]

I hope during the remainder of JWs testimony, the 4th court of appeals and even the ohio supreme court makes a clarification as it pertains to each witness opting out. It appeared to me there is a discrepancy between what the 4th ordered and the 12c deal. Bottom line, whatever needs to occur to prevent a mistrial is the correct call. Let the higher courts figure it out. Deering held a hearing, made his ruling and now on to the supreme court or not. He fulfilled his requirements.

I want to see JW squirm qs much as qnyone but not to the detriment of the trial on appeal. Jmo

 

[LMDlong]

Yes, as far as I heard, JW will be coming back off camera and audio. The reporters can move more freely in and out but if they start to disrupt that could change back to lock in/outs again

I wish the judge would have said what time they will begin.

 

[arielilane]

No tweets from James thus far. Todd and Angenette tweets thus far.

https://twitter.com/ToddDykesWLWT

Hello from Pike County, Ohio. Day 31 of #GeorgeWagnerIV's murder trial is about to begin. This morning's media access hearing did not go in our favor w/ regard to Jake Wagner's testimony. But the door is open for future witness testimony to be on camera. Stay w/ #WLWT for more.



https://twitter.com/Angenette5

UPDATE: Prosecution, Jake Wagner's lawyers and GW4's lawyers all opposed allowing Jake Wagner to testify on camera or using audio. State and JW's lawyers said it creates a security risk for JW. "Snitches get Stiches", essentially.

 

[Seattle1]

IDK, he scheduled the hearing for tomorrow, so he hasn't violated it. Having a hearing for each opt out witness is what the Appeals Court ordered.

Granted its a confused mess. But at least the Scioto paper guy gets to run photos of opt out witnesses or something.

The trial is in recess on Thursday so if the Order is that each witness that opts-out has to have a hearing, perhaps the court can work out a schedule where all witnesses can appear (via zoom for convenience) on the next non-working date for their media mandate hearing where the trial can keep on schedule. IMO, this opt-out hearing required for each is a burden that Jurors didn't sign up for -- their rights should be equal to the cowardly killer Jake. MOO

 

[sunshineray]

It's been mentioned in a number of posts, but I'd just like for AC to go back to Chris Sr.'s crime scene and ask one question -who was the "someone" who moved the bodies.

It's only been inferred it was BW and GWIV because JW was off getting the surveillance and trying to get in some structure. JW will just say I don't know, I didn't see. He saw the aftermath only, according to him. He did say under oath GWIV was as strong as an ox bull...and BW did say on the played tape he had a bad back...1+1=2?

 

[sunshineray]

I wish the judge would have said what time they will begin.

He might have, I didn't take notice at the time...was typing too fast lol

 

[Betty P]

The trial is in recess on Thursday so if the Order is that each witness that opts-out has to have a hearing, perhaps the court can work out a schedule where all witnesses can appear (via zoom for convenience) on the next non-working date for their media mandate hearing where the trial can keep on schedule. IMO, this opt-out hearing required for each is a burden that Jurors didn't sign up for -- their rights should be equal to the cowardly killer Jake. MOO

Apologies, I got that wrong. The hearing for Jake is actually what we just saw this morning.

Pike Co. murder trial: Photos of murder weapons are shown for first time as Jake testifies for third day

Jake Wagner will continue testifying against his brother, who is on trial for the murder of eight people in Pike County in 2016.

www.wcpo.com

Jake Wagner will continue testifying against his brother George Wagner IV on Wednesday, who is on trial for the murder of eight people in Pike County in 2016. He has opted out of being recorded during his time on the witness stand. The morning started with a hearing about whether or not Jake Wagner could be recorded, and the judge ruled that there is a reason to believe there could be added danger to Jake Wagner if he was recorded/broadcast.

BBM to make it easier to read.

They're probably all having discussions about how to legally move forward with this, probably consulting with attorneys, etc. It's all rather vague. As the judge said - how do they want them to have hearings? Where? When? What are the rules for conducting it?

 

[Pru2U]

I wish the judge would have said what time they will begin.

I just saw a Tweet where one of the reporters is going back in now.

 

[LMDlong]

No tweets from James thus far. Todd and Angenette tweets thus far.

https://twitter.com/ToddDykesWLWT

Hello from Pike County, Ohio. Day 31 of #GeorgeWagnerIV's murder trial is about to begin. This morning's media access hearing did not go in our favor w/ regard to Jake Wagner's testimony. But the door is open for future witness testimony to be on camera. Stay w/ #WLWT for more.



https://twitter.com/Angenette5

UPDATE: Prosecution, Jake Wagner's lawyers and GW4's lawyers all opposed allowing Jake Wagner to testify on camera or using audio. State and JW's lawyers said it creates a security risk for JW. "Snitches get Stiches", essentially.

So if it’s getting ready to start are they blacking it out like when others have opted out?

 

[Daisy47]

So if it’s getting ready to start are they blacking it out like when others have opted out?

It’s back on (muted) on WCPO9.

 

[MTW2011]

WCPO’s livestream (as opposed to Law and Crime Network) we can see the Courtroom and everything except the witness on the stand - and no audio - for those curious

 

[sunshineray]

The trial is in recess on Thursday so if the Order is that each witness that opts-out has to have a hearing, perhaps the court can work out a schedule where all witnesses can appear (via zoom for convenience) on the next non-working date for their media mandate hearing where the trial can keep on schedule. IMO, this opt-out hearing required for each is a burden that Jurors didn't sign up for -- their rights should be equal to the cowardly killer Jake. MOO

To me, they acted like the inmates in JW's prison didn't know anything about his deal to testify which is just ridiculous to me. He's been there 4 years and it's been all over the media. His testifying on camera or even just audio is not going to make one bit of difference. ANY one of those inmates, if faced with the DP would do the same in a heartbeat. It's not an added safety concern for JW inside prison for his testimony to be broadcast. It's melodramatic to think it would be because his particulars are already known to anybody who asks another inmate or guard, what's his story?
AJMO

 

[Pru2U]

The trial is in recess on Thursday so if the Order is that each witness that opts-out has to have a hearing, perhaps the court can work out a schedule where all witnesses can appear (via zoom for convenience) on the next non-working date for their media mandate hearing where the trial can keep on schedule. IMO, this opt-out hearing required for each is a burden that Jurors didn't sign up for -- their rights should be equal to the cowardly killer Jake. MOO

Think how much work some of those jurors are missing. While some employers will supplement the small juror stipend to equal out their pay, not every business can - (certainly not the self employed ) those are usually larger corporations who can afford it. Opening arguments AC said approx 6-8 weeks. She's possibly only 3/4 of the way through witnesses. Then defense is up. Then closing arguments. At the rate they're going, we've got at least 3-4 more weeks to go.

 

[dgfred]

Heck... he bulked up. Let him fend for himself. At least no sleeping women will be there to 'get' him.

Unreal.